HomeMy WebLinkAbout10. 21-170APRIL 13, 2021 21-170 RESOLUTION
SHARED REVENUE PROGRAM
INITIATED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS MUGERAUER AND FORD
WHEREAS, for over ninety years the state shared revenue program has been a key
component of Wisconsin’s state and local relationship and an important part of the state’s
overall program of property tax relief; and
WHEREAS, over the last 20 years shared revenue funding for municipalities has
been cut by $94 million; and
WHEREAS, over the last generation, property taxes have grown as a share of city
and village revenues as shared revenue and other state aid to Wisconsin municipalities
has lagged; and
WHEREAS, state aid provided a larger share of municipal revenues in Wisconsin
than property taxes from 1975 to 1997. Today property taxes account for more than twice
as much municipal revenue as state aid; and
WHEREAS, over the last 20 years state shared revenue funds for the City of
Oshkosh have been reduced by over $2.5 million annually, or 20%, while state revenues
have continued to increase; and
WHEREAS, Oshkosh has had to resort to increasing property taxes as a way to
offset the lost revenues from the shared revenue program; and
WHEREAS, to create and maintain quality communities that attract businesses
and families, municipalities must invest in services and infrastructure that people and
businesses expect, like police protection, fire suppression, road maintenance,
snowplowing, libraries, and parks; and
WHEREAS, the state should reinvest a portion of its sales and income tax revenue
growth in local communities to spur further economic growth and make Wisconsin
communities places where people want to live and work.
(CARRIED_7-0____ LOST _______ LAID OVER _______ WITHDRAWN _______)
PURPOSE: SUPPORT STATE BUDGET INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR
APRIL 13, 2021 21-170 RESOLUTION
CONT’D
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh calls on the Legislature to pass a state budget increasing funding for the shared
revenue program and directs the City Manager to send a copy of this resolution to the
state legislators representing the City of Oshkosh, to Governor Tony Evers, and to the
League of Wisconsin Municipalities.